Site license versions of several of the Hands On Genetics programs can be modified by the teacher. The programs in question are:

Group I: Mendelsim, Gelsim, Hardy-Weinberg, (Popsim)

Group II: SimpleGene, SexLink

The difference between the two groups is that Group I programs need to be set up before being given to a class, whereas setting up of Group II programs is a matter of choice.

When each of the Group I programs is run initially, a SETUP button will be shown on the startup screen. Clicking on this button leads to a password entry screen. Once a password has been entered, the Setup button will no longer be displayed when the program starts. Other program parameters may be changed on the initial run in which the password is entered. Please see intructions for individual programs.

The password serves a dual purpose for Group I programs. Starting using the password allows program parameters to be changed. For programs other than Popsim, it also allows answers to be recovered in cases where problems have been set for students.

Starting using the password is achieved by clicking on the HAND which appears on each starting screen, while holding down the Alt key (Windows) or the Command key (Mac). A password entry screen will then be shown.

For the Group II programs, there is no password. However clicking on the hand in the same way allows different versions of the programs to be set.

Technical note

The password and parameter information are carried in different ways in the Windows and Macintosh versions of the programs. In the Windows versions, the setup information for all programs resides in the HoG.key file, the file carrying the registration information which needs to be distributed with the programs to allow them to function. Any changes made to the setup versions of the program will be passed on with the altered HoG.key file. Note that this system replaces that from earlier versions of the programs (1.x) in which the setup information was carried in individual .ini files.

In the Macintosh versions of the program, any setup information is carried in resource files of the programs themselves. The changed programs, together with the original HoG.key file, need to be distributed to any students using the setup programs.